GUN SPRING 2018
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/21/2018
SHARPS NEW MODEL 1865 MEACHAM CONVERSION "BUFFALO" RIFLE WITH DOUBLE SET TRIGGERS. SHARPS MEACHAM CONVERSION C43847 45-2 1/10 Cal. 45-2 1/10". 30" oct bbl, Rocky Mountain blade front sight, Lawrence patent rear sight. Blue and case color finish. Straight grain checkered American walnut stocks with Sharps buttplate. Double set triggers. Bbl is marked "OLD RELIABLE" in a clip-corner rectangle in front of "SHARPS RIFLE CO BRIDGEPORT. CONN." in front of rear sight. Cal. mark is on left flat of bbl near breech. Bbl is stamped "45727" under forearm followed by "58" reading in opposite direction. Receiver is of the carbine type. Saddle ring hole has been plugged. Pellet primer has been ground off. Lockplate is of the thick type. Left side of receiver is marked "C. SHARPS PAT / SEPT 12TH 1848". Lock is marked "C SHARPS' PAT / OCT. 5TH 1852". Stocks are coarsely checkered in a diamond pattern. Buttstock has saddle ring slide mount ground flat. This type of Sharps rifle was manufactured by gun makers using surplus Civil War era carbine receivers and parts purchased from the Sharps Rifle Company. Demand was great in the early 1870's and Sharps production was very small. These rifles filled the gap. PROVENANCE: The spectacular collections of Ray Bentley featuring the finest and rarest deluxe antique Winchesters in the world. CONDITION: Very good to fine. Bbl retains 90% of the grey/blue finish with only minor high-point wear and a few handling marks. Markings are sharp. Sights are very good. Bore is dark with visible rifling. Receiver retains 50% of the muted case color finish. Lock shows a considerable amount of case color finish as does the hammer. Takedown pin retains 90% blue. Lever is a smooth grey/brown patina with traces of case color that is vivid at the tail. Markings are sharp. Lock mark has a scratch across it. Mechanics are crisp. Set triggers function. Stocks are very good, full sized with sharp checkering and most of the varnish finish with only minor handling marks. Buttplate shows considerable case color finish that is vivid on tang. Forend cap is a grey/blue patina with some roughness. Screws all show a generous amount of blue finish. An opportunity to obtain an example of a Sharps "Buffalo Rifle" made for the hunts of the 1870's in 45-70 Cal. 53094-116 TEP (5,000-6,250)